Type-writing machine.



R. W. UHLIG. TYPE WRITING MACHINE. AFPLIGATION FILED JULY2o,1ooo.

1,098,925, y Patented June 2,1914.

INVEN To R;

M Y @w i; lTTORNE UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEEIoE.

RICHARD W. UI-ILIG, OF RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY, .ASSIGNOR TO THE UNDERWOOD TYPEWRITER COMPANY, OF

NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

TYPE-WRITIN G MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 2, 1914.

Application filed July 29, 1909. Serial No. 510,247'.

To all lwiz-0m 'it may concern Be it known that l, RICHARD W. UHLIG, a citizen of the United States, residing in Rutherford, in the county of Bergen and State of New Jersey, have invented cert-ain new and useful Improvements in Type- Writing Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to the platen-controlling mechanism of typewriting machines and particularly to devices for releasing the platen from the control of the usual line-space wheel.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a simple, inexpensive, compact clutching lmechanism to connect the linespace wheel to the platen.

In the preferred form of the present invention, the line-space wheel is in the form of a drum having an interior annular flange. To the platen is connected a head which is surrounded by said flange; and in said head are mounted dogs in llne with each other and radial to the axis of the platen, said dogs having teeth to engage said fiange for the purpose of locking the line-space wheel to the platen. A button is connected to the dogs to operate them simultaneously; and a detent is provided for the button.

Each dog preferably has two teeth close to its axis and one on each side of the flange and adapted to bite thelatter, said teeth being pointed toward each other and sharpcned for this purpose.

Certain features of the invention may be employed in connection with other kinds of dog teeth or dogs.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 a plan of the platen and connections Underwood front strike writing inato which the present improvements is of an chine,

lillustrate the effective or biting position of the preferred form of dog. Fig. 3 is a similar diagram, showing thedog released. Fig. 4; is a sectional view taken longitudinally of the platen axis and showing the dogs in the Fig. 2 position. Fig. 5 is an elevation, showing the right hand end of the Fig. 4 device, but with the cover removed. Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 4, but showing the dogs released, as at Fig. 3. Fig. 7 is a diagram to show the crank connection between the button and the dogs, the latter being shown in ineffective position, as in Fig. Fig. 8 is a perspective of the usual rotating finger wheel partly broken away toshow the detent mounted therein. Fig. 9 1s a perspective of the line-space wheel partly broken away. Fig. 10 is a perspec tive of a stem whereby the button is connected to the dog operating crank. Fig. 11 1s a perspective view of the dog carr ing head. Fig. l2 shows a cover disk wlich may be secured upon said head.

The cylindrical platen 1 is y"mounted by means of an axle 2 in ends 3, 4 of a platen frame, and carries at its right-hand end the usual platen-rotating finger wheel 5. A linespace wheel 6, which is loosely mounted, is held against turning by the usual detent 7. The platen is line-spaced by means of a lever 8, slide 9, and pawl 10, the latter engaging the line-space wheel.

The line-space Wheel is in the form of a ring or drum 6a, and incloses a dog-carrying head 11, the latter having a long hub 12 which is fixed by a pin 13 upon the platen axle, Fig. 11. The line-space wheel drum 6a has a long hub 14, whereby it is looselyI mounted upon the hub l2 of the ldo, 9;-carrying head.

The clutching dogs have cylindrical bodies 15 mounted to turn in the opposite sides of the head 11, and extending radially from the axis of revolution of the platen. At their inner ends, the dogs are connected by a double crank 16, comprising crank arms extending from the bodies 15, and an integral connecting arm extending between the crank arms. At their outer projecting ends they are provided each with a pair of opposing teeth 17, forming gripping devices, which embrace an annular internal iiange 18 formed on the inner periphery of the line-space wheel drum 6*. The teeth of each dog are pointed toward each other and sharpened so as to bite said fiange when the dogs are rotated in one direction by the crank 16. The dogs may, however, be otherwise formed, connected and operated.

The dogs are preferably operated by a but-ton 19, which is mounted on a stem 20 to move in a direction longitudinal of the platen axis; said stem 20 having a plate- Vlike extension or finger-piece 21, provided with a fork 22 to engage the crank 1G. When the button is pushed in, as at Fig. It, the dog teeth 17 are clamped against the opposite walls or bearing surfaces of'the linespace Wheel flange 18, Which they bite firmly, their grip being partly d ue to their proximity to their own axis of rotation, (which is at right angles to the platen axle 2). The teeth when formed in the manner indicated have an elhcient biting action, and there is no liability of accidental release of the platen. The dogs and the flange 18 having connection respectively with the platen and line-space Wheel, form a connecting train betveen said parts.

While in some cases a single dog may be employed, still the provision of two dogs ,l gives an easily connected and operated, and a single additional advantage. By placing them-in line With each other they may be diametrical perforation through the head 11 sufhces for their mounting. Moreover, any tendency of the line-space Wheel to loosen one vdog is counteracted by its concomitant tendency to tighten the other dog. A cover 23 may 'be secured upon the inner face of the head 11 to close the line-space Wheel drum 6a.

'Ihe dogs may be held in the effective position at Fig. 4 by r'neans of a detent, comprising a ball 24 pressed by a spring 25 into a notch 26 formed in the stem 20; said spring being compressed byk a screw 27 which is threaded into the left-hand platen rotating finger Wheel 28; said ball, spring and screw being contained in a perforation 29 formed radially in' the finger Wheel, which is connected to the platen 1. The stem 20 is provided With a second depression 30 to hold the 'dogs in released positions, as at Figs. 3 and 6.

It will be perceived that in order to release the platen from the control of the line-space Wheel, it is only necessary to pull out the button 19 from the position at Fig. i to that at Fig. 6, thus causing the dogs to turn and the teeth 17 to release their grip upon the line-space Wheel iiange 18; and the detent 24 will hold the parts in this relation. To reconnect the platen to the line-space wheel, it is only necessary to press the button in again. A

It will be observed that the line-space Wheel hub 14, which is mounted upon the hub 12 of the head 11, is extended beyond said hub 12, to afford a support or bearing for the hub 31 of the linger Wheel 28; and also that said hub 31 affords a bearing for the button stem 20, which extends through the same; the button being placed outside of the nger Wheel 28. Displacement of the inger-vvheel hub 31 in axial direction is prevented by means of a screvv 32, tapped into the hub 14 and fitting in an annular groove 33 formed in the hub 31.

The linger Wheel 28 is connected to the hub 12 of the dog-carrying head 11 by means ot' said plate-like dog-operating extension 21, which is constructed to act also as a. key or bit, and fits in a radial groove 34 formed in the'hub 31, and also in a similar groove 35 formed in the hub 12. Said grooves may extend diametrically through the hubs, and a companion extension 36 may form a key on the other side of the platen axle 2.

Variations may be resorted to Within the scope of the invention, and portions of the .improvements may be used Without others.

Having thus described my invention I 1. In a typevvriting machine, the combination with a platen and a loosely-mounted line-space Wheel; of a train of connections comprising' a flange and a dog having a pair of sharp teeth pointed toward each other and embracing said flange; and means to rotate the dog to release or bite the flange.

2. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a platen and a loosely mounted line-space Wheel; of a train of connections comprising a flange and a pair of dogs each having a pair of sharp teeth pointed toward each other and embracing said flange; and means to rotate the dogs to release or bite the flange; means being provided to detain the dogs in eifective positions.

3. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a platen and a loosely mounted line-space Wheel; of a connecting train comprising an internal annular flange and a pair of opposite pivoted dogs Whose axis is radial to said flange, each dog having a pair of sharp -teeth pointed toward each other and embracing said flange; means to hold said dogs With their teeth biting said flange, and means to rotate them to release the flange.

4. In a typewriting machine,the combination With a platen and a loosely mounted line-space Wheel; of a connecting train comprising a pair of rotary dogs diametrically in line with each other, and means engaged by the dogs to lock the platen and line-space Wheel together; a crank rigidly connecting said dogs, and a finger-piece connected to said crank.

5. In a typevvriting machine, the combination" with a platen and a `loosely mounted line-.space Wheel; of a connecting train comprising a air of rotary dogs diametrically in line Wit each other, andgmeans engaged by the dogs to lock the platen and line-space Wheel together; a crank rigidly connecting said dogs and a finger-piece connected to said cra-n said finger-piece mounted to slide longitudinally of the platen.

6. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a platen and`a loosely mounted line-space Wheel; of a connecting train comprising a pair of dogs diametrically in line With each other, and means engaged by the dogs to lock the platenand line-space Wheel together; a crank ext-ending from one of said dogs to the other, a finger-piece connected to said crank, and a detent for said finger-piece.

7. In a typevvriting'machine, the combina-y tion with a platen and a loosely mounted line-space Wheel; of a connecting train comprising a pair of opposite dogs in the form of rotatin members Whose axes are radial to the axis of the line-space Wheel, and means upon which said dogs bite; a crank connecting said dogs, and a finger-piece movable longitudinally of the platen axis 4 and connected to said crank to rotate the dogs, said finger-piece being on the end of a stem extending1 longitudinally of the platen axis and having a part to engage said crank.

8. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a platen and a loosely mounted line-space Wheel; of a connecting train comprising a pair of opposite dogs in the form of rotating members Whose axes are radial to the axis of the line-space Wheel, and means upon which said dogs bite; a crank connecting said dogs, a finger-piece movable longitudinally of the platen axis and connected to said crank to rotate the dogs, said finger-piece being on the end of a stem ein `tending longitudinally of the platen axis and having a part to engage said crank, and a spring'detent to engage said stem.

9. In a typewriting machine, the combinau tion with a platen and a loosely mounted line-space Wheel; of a connecting train comprising a pair of opposite dogs in the form of rotating members Whose axes are radial toV the axis of 'the line-space wheel, and means upon which said dogs bite; a crank connecting said dogs, a linger-piece movable longitudinally of the platen axis and connected to said crank to rotate the dogs, said finger-piece being on the end of a stem extending longitudinally of the platen axis and having a part to engage said crank, and a spring detent to engage said stem; the latter having` a plurality of depressions to enable said detent to hold the dogs in either etlective or ineffective positions.

10. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a4 laten, .aloosely mounted linespace Wheel aving a drum or ring, a head fixed relatively to the platen and contained in said drum, a radially arranged dog 4mounted in and projecting from said head and formed With teeth to engage an inner peripheral portion of said drum, and a finger-piece mounted to move longitudinally of the platen andy connected to said dog to operate the same.

11. In a typewriting machine, the combination With a platen, of a loosely mounted line-space Wheel having a ring or drum, a head having a fixed relationto the platen and contained in said drum, radially arranged dogs mounted in and projecting from said head and formed with teeth to engage an inner peripheral portion of said drum, and a finger-piece mounted to move longitudinally of the platen and connected to said dogs to operate them simultaneously.

l2. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a platen, of a loosely mounted line-space Wheel having a ring or drum, a head connected to rotate with the platen and contained in said drum, a pair of dogs radiating from the axis of the platen and mounted to rotate in said head and projecting from the latter to engage an inner peripheral portion of said drum, a crank arm upon said dogs, and a finger-piece connected to said crank arm to turn the dogs.

13. In a typewriting machine` the combination With a platen, of a loosely mounted vline-space Wheel having a ring or drum, a head fixed to the Vplaten axle and contained in said drum, a air of dogs radiating from the axis of the p aten and mounted to rotate in said head and projecting from the latter to engage an inner peripheral portion of said drum, a crank arm upon said dogs, and a tingerp1ece connected to said crank arm to turn the dogs; said finger-piece mounted on a stem Which extends through a hub provided on said head, said stem having a con nection With said crank arm.

14. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a platen, of a loosely mounted line-space Wheel having a ring or drum, a head fixed to the platen axle and contained in said drum, a pair of dogs radiating from the axis of the platen and mounted to rotate in said head and projecting from the latter to engage an inner peripheral portion of said drum, a lcrank arm upon said dogs, a Itingenpiece connected to said crank arm to turn the dogs; said finger-piece mounted on a stem which extends through a hub provided on said head, said stem having a connection with said crank arm; said said line-space Wheel hub to the hub of said head, so that they may rotate together, and means to prevent displacement of the finger Wheel in axial direct-ion.

15. In a typewriting machine, the combination With a platen, a loosely mounted linespace Wheel, and a platen axle, of a head fixed upon said platen axle, a linger wheel, a finger-piece upon the end of a stem which extends through said finger Wheel in line with the platen axle, a clutching device on said head and connected to said stem to engage said line-space Wheel, and means to connect said finger Wheel to said head or axle to turn the platen; said connecting means including a key or bit, and means being provided to preventaxial displaeemeut of the linger Wheel; said head having a hub, said line-space wheel having a long hub mounted upon the hub of said head, and said finger wheel having a. hub mounted within said line-space Wheel hub.

16. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a platen and a line-space Wheel; of a connecting train comprising opposite walls or bearing surfaces. an axially pivoted dog device having oppositely pointing teeth to engage said Walls, and a inger-piece having means for turning said dog.

1T. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a platen, a relatively rotatable line-space wheel, and a clutch therebetween comprising an annular member and a cooperating member having at one end a pair ol" oppositely disposed teeth embracing the annular member, said cooperating member being rotatable about an axis substantially perpendicular' to the platen axis to bring the pairs of teeth into and out of locking engagement with the said annular' member at diametrically opposite points.

18. In a typeivriting machine, the combination of a platen, a relatively rotatable line-space Wheel, and a clutch between said parte comprising an annular member and a cooperating member rotatable about an axis intersecting the platen axis, said coperating member comprising a pair of dogs havmg each at one end a gripping device, each gripping device adapted to engage opposite sides of the annular member.

19. In a typewriting machine, the combination With a platen and 'a relatively rotatable line-space Wheel; of a Connecting train comprising an annular fiange, and a pair 0f diametrically disposed members having at their opposite ends pairs of teeth einbracng -diametrieally opposite portions of the flange; and means to impart a torsional strain to said diametrically disposed members to cause the teeth to grip the flange.

RICHARD IV. UHLIG.

vWitnesses JOHN O. Selmer, C. RIPLEY. 

